The Leoncio Hotel in Brescia, a palazzo full of vintage pieces
The Leoncio Hotel is a four-star hotel in a historic palazzo in Brescia, in Lombardy, a few minutes' walk from the centre and the station. Vintage furnishings, spacious rooms and a friendly team suit couples and business trips, less so light sleepers.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published
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Where The Leoncio Hotel is and how to get there
The Leoncio Hotel is on Viale Italia in Brescia, in an area guests describe as quiet. The centre is about ten minutes' walk away and the railway station is a few minutes on foot, so a car isn't essential.
Guests arriving by car can, according to one guest, use a free car park very close to the hotel. I would confirm this when booking anyway, since in Brescia it's a detail that can change your day. Madonna delle Grazie is nearby too, and the hotel cites it as a landmark.
What the rooms and common areas are like
The rooms are the hotel's strong point, with a caveat you'll find further down. Several guests talk about spacious, clean and well-kept rooms; one, on the top floor, was compared to a mini apartment. They are air-conditioned and come with free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, a desk and a toiletry set.
- The atmosphere. The building is full of carefully chosen objects, from the Fiat 500 in the entrance to the old car photos, a Vespa scooter and a pinball machine. More than one guest calls it almost a museum.
- Breakfast. According to the hotel, it is a buffet with continental and Italian options. Guests find it good but simple, with sweet and savoury choices to mix things up.
- Services. There is a well-kept garden, room service, luggage storage, a concierge, a fitness centre and a small area with a massage room.
What guests say about the hotel
On Google it scores 4 out of 5, from 323 reviews, and the overall tone is very warm. The theme that comes back most is the staff: several guests describe them as kind, helpful and able to make you feel at home, even in difficult moments.
Cleanliness, a convenient location and the taste of the décor also come up often. One review talks of a place with potential, where a little more attention would make for an excellent hotel. The critical voices are fewer but consistent, and you'll find them in the next section.
What to know before booking
This is a hotel with character, not a perfect one. Before booking, I'd suggest weighing these points calmly, because some guests found them hard going.
| What works | What to check |
|---|---|
| Polite, attentive staff | Thin walls, with noise from the corridor and neighbouring rooms |
| Spacious, clean rooms | Some rooms are cold, with a single air-conditioning unit that takes a while to warm them |
| Vintage furnishings and atmosphere | Small breakfast room, with waits at busy times |
| City centre within walking distance | Some windows lack curtains, and a minibar was reported as not working |
There is also a note for couples. One guest advises against the Matrimoniale Superior, because it has two single mattresses that slide around and leave an uncomfortable gap in the middle. If you are travelling as a pair, ask first how the bed is set up.
Another guest describes an unpleasant arrival, with a welcome they found arrogant. It is an isolated voice next to the praise for the staff, but I include it for honesty.
Who The Leoncio Hotel suits
I would choose it for a couple who want a hotel with character, for a city weekend, or for a business trip where cleanliness, friendliness and proximity to the station matter. It also suits anyone who enjoys unusual surroundings rather than an anonymous chain.
I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who sleeps very lightly, to anyone travelling in deep winter who wants rooms that warm up straight away, or to anyone expecting a rich and varied breakfast. In those cases it is worth looking at other options.
What to do in Brescia and nearby
From the hotel you can walk to Brescia's historic centre, and the concierge, according to the hotel, can help arrange trips to Desenzano, the Torre di San Martino and the Sirmione thermal baths. The lake makes a good break from city sightseeing.
If you want to compare other options, stay in the city with Villa Noce - Guest House in Brescia, or head to Lake Garda with B&B La Maison Boutique in Desenzano del Garda. For another idea in Lombardy, there is also Casa al Lago in Lecco.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
